BOYS HOCKEY: Family ties strong for Rams in title quest

Marshfield’s trio of brothers – the Burchills (Matt and Pat), the Carbones (Mike and JoJo) and the Lemieuxs (Connor and Frankie) – have been instrumental in leading the Rams to Sunday’s Div. 1 state championship game at TD Garden.

By Tom Hinkley

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Tom Hinkley

Posted Mar. 16, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 16, 2013 at 4:02 PM

By Tom Hinkley

Posted Mar. 16, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 16, 2013 at 4:02 PM

MARSHFIELD

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Sure, the Marshfield High boys hockey team will take the ice at TD Garden on Sunday night to play for a state title, but its road to Causeway Street has been anything but a smooth ride.

The Rams stumbled to a 3-3 start to begin the season and barely resembled a tournament team, let alone one that would compete for a state title.

Even after securing its spot in the tournament, Marshfield didn’t enter the Div. 1 South Sectional with a full head of steam after being blown out 10-1 by Hingham in the regular-season finale.

But, just as it has done all season, Marshfield rebounded nicely and went on a run that has carried the Rams (20-6) into Sunday’s 8:15 p.m. state title game against Burlington (13-6-5).

“We didn’t get off to a great start,” Marshfield senior Pat Burchill said. “We lost to a team (Dennis-Yarmouth in the season opener) that we’ve done pretty well against in previous years, and that was a huge wake-up call.”

“We’re a really skilled team,” added Mike Carbone, who leads the Rams in both goals (21) and assists (27), “but that (3-3) start really made us realize that we have to play with a lot of toughness and grit.”

Leading the turnaround for Marshfield were a trio of brothers in the Burchills (Matt and Pat), the Carbones (Mike and JoJo) and the Lemieuxs (Connor and Frankie).

The Burchills are an experienced duo, as the pair won a state title together two seasons ago when Pat was a sophomore and Matt was a freshman. Matt is third on the team in points with 31 (9 goals, 22 assists) and Pat has added 5 goals and 12 assists.

The Burchills already have shared plenty of memories on the ice, but they are still hoping for one more.

“We won a state title together two years ago,” said Matt Burchill, “but it would be awesome to go out with another one.”

“It’s just been awesome being able to play together,” Matt Burchill said. “It’s like having a best friend out on the ice with you. There’s nothing better than getting an assist from your brother.”

The Burchills have already won together on the Garden ice, and the Carbones are hoping to mimic them. Mike has led Marshfield in scoring in his senior season, and JoJo, who is just a freshman, hasn’t played like one, netting 2 goals to go with 15 assists.

“It’s our first year getting to play together,” Mike Carbone said, “so it would be great to make the most of it. Hopefully we can hoist that championship trophy.”

With the Burchills and the Carbones filling up the stat sheet on the offensive end, the Lemieuxs will look to anchor the defensive end.

Page 2 of 2 - Junior Connor Lemieux has taken over as the starting goalie and has played extremely well in Marshfield’s tournament run. Older brother Frankie is a senior defenseman.

The family experience is something Marshfield coach Dan Connolly has seen before, but it doesn’t make it any less significant.

“We’ve had quite a few groups of brothers here,” he said. “It’s always good to have that kind of camaraderie. It would be nice if they could all win a state title together. It’s something they’d always remember.”

Standing in Marshfield’s way is defending champion Burlington, which presents a significant challenge. The Red Devils beat Milton, 6-2, in the 2012 state final.

“I watched them play last year at the Garden with my brother,” said Pat Burchill. “They’re a very good team. It’s going to be a challenge, but we’re all up for it.”